"Mr. Venti, you should go to the Church of Favonius for treatment," Jean urged, though Venti, being the Anemo Archon, likely didn't need ordinary healing.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, I'll take care of Venti's injuries," Yun Fan offered.
"Ah… then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Yun Fan," Jean hesitated but eventually agreed, trusting Yun Fan given his status.
"No problem. After all, Venti and I are good friends," Yun Fan said with a smile, glancing at Venti, who looked at him with disdain.
Jean, Lisa, and Kaeya left to return to the Knights of Favonius headquarters. They needed to plan and execute a thorough purge of the Fatui's influence in Mondstadt.
The Fatui had deep roots in Mondstadt, with a complex network of bases and connections. To prevent them from lashing out and causing irreparable damage, a meticulous plan was essential.
"You're really something, huh? You said you'd catch me!" Venti rubbed his sore nose, still haunted by his encounter with the ice wall. He should've known better than to trust Yun Fan.
"Haha, don't take it to heart. Didn't I play along with your act? If I had intervened, do you think she would've escaped?" Yun Fan patted Venti's shoulder and laughed.
"Act?" x2
Lumine and Paimon were confused. What were these two talking about? Why couldn't they understand?
"Nothing, just a joke," Venti quickly said, giving Yun Fan a pleading look to help him cover it up.
"Right, just a joke. Venti's a bard, after all. He's been working on a play and wanted me to act in it with him."
Seeing Yun Fan play along, Venti sighed in relief. This guy was unpredictable—who knew if he'd help or sabotage him?
"Really?" Lumine's eyes narrowed. She believed Yun Fan, but something still felt off.
"Traveler, that battle was intense. You must be exhausted. Why don't you go rest? Yun Fan and I still have some things to discuss," Venti suggested, trying to send Lumine away. If Yun Fan changed his mind, things could get awkward.
"Well…" Lumine hesitated. She felt like the two were hiding something from her.
"It's almost noon. Paimon must be hungry. Why don't you two go back for lunch and rest?" Venti pressed, targeting Paimon this time.
Of course, Paimon didn't disappoint. At the mention of lunch, her eyes lit up, and she flew over to hug Lumine's arm.
"Traveler, let's go back! Please?"
Unable to resist Paimon's whining, Lumine sighed. "Alright, let's go."
"Then I'll take my leave."
After bidding farewell to Yun Fan and Venti, Lumine left with the chattering Paimon. In the distance, they could be heard discussing what to eat for lunch.
Watching their retreating figures, Venti sighed.
"Sometimes, I feel like you can see the future, as if you have everything under control. It's a strange feeling."
"Ah, haha, how could that be?" Yun Fan laughed nervously. Venti's intuition was sharp—he had almost guessed the truth.
"Right, besides the God of Time, who can see the future? By the way, how did you know about Rosalyne?"
"Can't say, can't say," Yun Fan shook his head, playing mysterious.
"Fine, let's not talk about that. The Traveler is about to leave Mondstadt. Will you be going with her?" Venti changed the subject.
"Yes, I'll probably stay in Mondstadt for another week or so before heading to Liyue."
"What about Barbara?" Venti's tone turned cold as he stared at Yun Fan, waiting for a satisfactory answer.
"I won't let her down," Yun Fan said after a pause, his voice firm and serious.
"Good, I understand," Venti's cold expression softened into a smile.
"Mondstadt will always welcome you back. May fortune favor you!"
"Your Majesty, I failed my mission. I am deeply ashamed and await your punishment."
At a Fatui outpost outside Mondstadt, La Signora knelt before a projection of the Tsaritsa, her head bowed in shame.
"Rise, Rosalyne. The fact that the Anemo Gnosis wasn't in Barbatos' possession was expected. It's likely in the hands of the Divine Sovereign," the Tsaritsa's projection sighed and gestured for La Signora to stand.
"Yes," La Signora stood, her expression dark.
"Set aside the Anemo Gnosis for now. Head to Inazuma immediately for the next phase of the plan. As for Liyue, leave it to Tartaglia."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The Tsaritsa's projection dissipated, and her consciousness returned to her body.
Not long ago, she had negotiated with the Geo Archon, Morax, about trading the Gnosis. Unfortunately, Morax's Gnosis had also been given away, likely to the Divine Sovereign.
However, she hadn't come away empty-handed. Morax had agreed to another deal: the Fatui would pressure Liyue, helping the Geo Archon test its people. In exchange, she received a promise from Morax.
"Why are you collecting the Gnoses? Do you share my goal? Or are you another pawn of the Heavenly Principles? If so, why did you make that contract with me?" The Tsaritsa muttered to herself, her divine aura filling the palace. Her delicate hand gripped the armrest of her throne, leaving deep marks.
"I must meet you in person in Liyue…"